Impact Wrestling presented its first show from their Melrose Ballroom tapings in New York last night. The promotion spent two days taping episodes of Impact from the venue last month.
Here are 9 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 12/3:
ODB Pins Taya Valkyrie Thanks To Jordynne Grace’s Distraction
- ODB defeated Taya Valkyrie
The tapings from New York last month were declared “ODB Appreciation Nights” as the former Knockouts champion lost her food truck in a fire recently. Proceeds from ticket sales to the tapings went to help her buy a new one. Her promo this week was interrupted by Taya Valkyrie and a match between the two was scheduled for later that night.
Although Taya was clearly the favorite heading into the match, Jordynne Grace would cause a distraction at ringside which would turn the tide. Grace took the title belt away from John E. Bravo and held it high in the air for Taya to see. As this was happening, ODB rolled up a distracted Taya and scored the upset victory in the main event.
Rob Van Dam Attacked By Rhino
Rob Van Dam & Katie Forbes did manage to make it to the venue this week to cut an in-ring promo. RVD reiterated what he’s been saying all these weeks from the comfort of his hot tub, saying that today’s wrestlers are all trying to be him.
Tommy Dreamer then interrupted and tried to set up a match between Rhino and RVD for next week with him as the referee. RVD turned the match down, however, saying all these original hardcore guys were holding him back as they were trying to latch onto him.
“I gotta think of what’s right for me – I’ve got my girlfriend and my girlfriend’s girlfriend to take care of,” RVD told Dreamer.
Rhino didn’t like this answer, however, and he came out from the back and initiated a brawl. Security separated the two to end the segment.
Sami Callihan and Tessa Blanchard Build To Hard To Kill
Two weeks ago, Tessa Blanchard became the #1 Contender to Sami Callihan’s Impact World Championship when she won a gauntlet match. This week, we were shown highlights from a press conference featuring Blanchard and Callihan hyping their main event on January 12th.
Blanchard gave Callihan credit for being a great wrestler but said that at Hard to Kill, she’d make history.
Callihan made it clear he doesn’t dislike Blanchard because she’s a woman or because of her last name, he doesn’t like her because she’s a “spoiled brat.” He said Blanchard has been handed everything and that he should be looked at as a hero. They went face-to-face to end the segment.
Michael Elgin Isn’t Waiting For His Opportunity
- Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Edwards vs Brian Cage (triple threat)
This week’s episode opened up with a match between Brian Cage and Eddie Edwards. As the match was winding down, however, Michael Elgin came out and delivered a double-clothesline to both competitors. After the commercial break, we were notified that Impact management had made it a 3-way match.
Don Callis noted on commentary that Elgin left New Japan because he was tired of waiting in line for opportunities, so he wasn’t going to wait in line here either. Elgin saw a match between two top competitors and decided it was a good opportunity to prove where he sits in the pecking order.
Elgin won with an Elgin bomb on Edwards.
The Saga Of Ace Austin and Trey’s Mother Continues
- Ace Austin & Reno Scum defeated the Rascalz
The Rascalz were shown in their clubhouse during a backstage vignette this week. Trey’s mother showed up which seemed to cause a lot of different reactions and emotions from Wentz and Dez. Trey asked his mom not to come to the matches but after she insisted, Trey agreed.
During a trios match this week between Ace Austin & Reno Scum against the Rascalz, Trey looked like he had things going his way. He was on the top rope when he glanced to the outside and saw Ace Austin talking to his mom at ringside. He then jumped off the ropes to attack Austin. Meanwhile, in the ring, Reno Scum used the distraction to pick up the roll-up win for their team.
Moose Takes Up Basketball
In previous segments, Moose has demonstrated his multi-sport abilities on the golf and tennis courts. This week, Moose opted to shoot a little hoops. When he ran into a couple of people on the basketball court though, they had seen previous segments where Moose beat up the people he was playing sports with and they had some concerns.
Moose told them that if he sank a 3-pointer then he’d buy them all some beers but if he missed, then maybe they should worry. He hit the shot but then proceeded to beat the two up anyway.
Johnny Swinger Attempts To Form Kliq With Joey Ryan
- Petey Williams defeated Johnny Swinger
In the back this week, Johnny Swinger attempted to complain to Joey Ryan about all these young kids killing the business for top stars like him. Ryan seemed completely uninterested in having this conversation. He asked Ryan if he would come out and interfere in his match against Williams and surprisingly Ryan agreed, although he seemed a little disingenuous.
Swinger was taking on Petey Williams later that night after Williams rebuffed Swinger’s offer of being his young boy. He called for Ryan to come out and help him but Ryan was a no-show. Williams then made Swinger submit to a sharpshooter.
Rich Swann & Willie Mack Gunning For Tag Team Gold
In a backstage segment this week, Rich Swann and Willie Mack were seen talking about wanting to win tag team gold. Swann told Mack that they should be thinking about the “Tag Team Open” next week. This brought out the North, Ethan Page & Josh Alexander.
Swann told the North that they would win the Open next week and then they would go on to Hard to Kill and win the tag team titles.
Next Week
Two big matches next week involve Tessa Blanchard and Sami Callihan each picking the opponents for the other. Callihan picked his monster from OVE, Madman Fulton, to take on Blanchard. Tessa would choose Ken Shamrock to take on Callihan.
Rhino will also face Rob Van Dam with Dreamer as the referee, which was the match RVD tried to turn down this week.
The Tag Team Open will also take place next week with the winner earning the tag title shot at Hard to Kill.
- Ken Shamrock vs Sami Callihan
- Tessa Blanchard vs Madman Fulton
- Rhino vs Rob Van Dam w/ Tommy Dreamer as referee
- Willie Mack & Rich Swann vs the Crist Brothers vs Dez & Wentz vs Reno Scum
Quick Results from 12/3:
- Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Edwards vs Brian Cage (triple threat)
- Ace Austin & Reno Scum defeated the Rascalz
- Petey Williams defeated Johnny Swinger
- ODB defeated Taya Valkyrie
